Netsalem pulled a book from the shadows and tossed it toward Yujin without a word. The book glided through the air and landed softly by the boy's side. Yujin, oblivious to the King's movement, remained buried in the volume he had pulled from the shelves.
It had been a month since the Nachzehrer King had taken Yujin, Theresa, and Theresis as his disciples.
The siblings—often called "the Teres"—were managed by Buldrokk and Kalaisha. Theresa had taken quite a liking to Kalaisha, following her closely. Theresis, however, was the anomaly. He didn't crave the raw physical power Yujin or Buldrokk possessed; instead, he sought the authority to command it.
"I won't stand by and watch them die a dog's death on the battlefield," Theresis had muttered while clicking his tongue. He seemed to have already anticipated a future where even a warrior as strong as Yujin could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers or specialized masters.
Buldrokk, realizing strength alone wasn't everything in war, had begun teaching Theresis the art of strategy.
"I feel like he's going to surpass me before the month is out," Buldrokk had said, sweating under his mask only a week into the lessons.
Theresa was the compassionate one, possessed of a grace and character that calmed those around her. Theresis was her cold, calculating reflection—merciless when a hard choice had to be made.
And Yujin...
Yujin was "good." Was he "righteous"? Netsalem wasn't sure. Even hearing the contents of the boy's Covenant had been a shock. To change the world. To never lose to evil. If he were to fail even once, his soul would shatter into a thousand pieces. How could someone choose such a perilous path?
When Netsalem had rebuked him for his recklessness as a teacher, Yujin had simply answered with an empty expression:
"I'll just have to make sure I don't lose, then."
Hearing him speak so casually about something so heavy made the King sigh. Yet, among his eccentric disciples, only one seemed truly "sane"—Theresa. She was warm and sought to help others. She possessed a natural charisma that could lead people. She was the one who could pull the reins on Kalaisha's wild behavior, and even Yujin and Theresis would back down if she spoke firmly. Buldrokk was perhaps the only one she didn't interfere with.
However, Theresa's Arts were something every sane person would fear if they knew their true nature. Mental interference. The Royal Court would drool at the prospect of such a weapon. In a way, it was a blessing that it was someone like Theresa who held such power.
Netsalem mused on these personalities as he wrote a letter to an old friend. He suspected that in time, he would have a favor to ask. He also noted the sword Yujin carried. It was too conspicuous for him to ignore, and he added a few lines about it in his correspondence.
"…Master."
As he finished the letter, Yujin approached with a haunted expression. Looking at the boy's face, the King knew exactly what he had been reading.
"Is everything written here... true?"
"Did I not tell you? This is where the history of the Sarkaz resides."
As the King of the Nachzehrer, a race that followed the scent of war, Netsalem had spent centuries preserving history since the Sarkaz were scattered. In doing so, he had inadvertently gathered knowledge of the histories and states of other nations as well.
"And? What do you think of the truth?"
"…I think I would have been better off not knowing."
Yujin turned away, muttering, "I wondered where Hell was. Turns out it's right here. Terra is Hell..." He went back to his books.
Netsalem had intended to teach Yujin combat, but the boy showed more interest in the library than in swordplay or Arts. Kalaisha found reading tedious and played games; Buldrokk felt dizzy just looking at rows of text and stayed away.
As the curator of this vault, Netsalem was slightly disappointed by them, so he was almost glad someone finally recognized the value of his records. The Liches would have salivated over these archives, but they were long gone, and the connection had withered.
The Diabolics, the "Devils of Flame," had vanished, unable to withstand their own internal fire and fury.
The Wendigos were on the verge of leaving Kazdel, their relationship with the Royal Court fractured.
The Vampires were long-lived, but their leader—the Sanguinarch—was a madman, creating yet another rift.
The Goliaths were the most common of the Sarkaz sub-races but lacked a central figure to lead them.
The Cyclopes, feeling a deep hatred for the Royal Court, had already departed for the North.
The Gargoyles... well, they mostly just enjoyed building things.
When Yujin learned the state of these clans, he delivered a scathing critique of why Kazdel was constantly disregarded and mocked by other nations. Netsalem, who had effectively stood by and let it happen, had no defense. There was no "core," no center to hold them together.
Netsalem sealed his letter.
Yujin finally sought out Kalaisha and Theresa.
For the past month, he had been holed up in the library, consumed by a thirst for knowledge. Kalaisha eventually found him, her face worn with exhaustion, and begged for his help.
"Save me... Theresa is...!"
She complained that since Yujin hadn't shown his face, Theresa had grown cold and icy, and teaching her was becoming a nightmare.
"Hmph. At least make your lies believable."
The kind Theresa? Unlikely. Even in the dark backalleys, her reputation for kindness was well-known. Not even the thugs would touch her, regardless of Yujin's protection. Yujin couldn't imagine her being "chilly" just because he was busy.
He reached the room that served as a small classroom and peered through the window. Kalaisha, wearing glasses, was at the chalkboard explaining something with frantic energy. Theresa just watched her with a completely expressionless face.
Yujin hesitated to knock, worried he might interrupt the lesson. But since Kalaisha had asked him to come, he knocked and opened the door.
Kalaisha looked at Yujin as if he were her savior. Yujin glanced at her and then at Theresa. Theresa's expression was complex—she looked happy to see him, yet there was a lingering frost in her eyes. Yujin felt a small pang of hurt that she didn't seem immediately thrilled.
"…What brings you here?" Theresa asked, her tone somewhat distant.
Yujin hid his disappointment and gave her a playful grin.
"Sorry. I've been stuck in the library so much I feel like I haven't seen your faces in forever. I came because I missed you, Theresa."
It was a lighthearted remark, but Theresa clearly had no resistance to it; her ears turned crimson instantly. Kalaisha watched with dead eyes. Yujin had been so lazy about leaving the library he had started eating his meals inside it.
"Then... are you going to eat with us today?"
"That was the plan. I want to see Theresis and Buldrokk, too."
"Buldrokk actually mentioned wanting to spar with you again," Kalaisha added.
"That's... probably not a great idea."
Yujin remembered Buldrokk's monstrous strength. To be honest, if they fought seriously now, Yujin felt he would lose.
As he talked with her, Theresa finally began to smile. Seeing her bloom like a flower being watered, Kalaisha couldn't hide her disbelief.
"…Do you know how much effort I put in to cheer her up?"
She had worked so hard as a "friend," but apparently, the boy was all it took. Watching Theresa look at Yujin with eyes practically dripping with affection, Kalaisha felt a sense of betrayal. Even during dinner, Buldrokk and Theresis were carefully reading Theresa's mood.
After the meal, Theresa smiled when Yujin suggested they go to the library and read together.
"You'll probably like a lot of the books there."
Yujin remembered that she always enjoyed fairy tales and legends of heroes. He had asked her why once, and she had replied:
"I like happy endings."
It made sense; most legends ended with everyone living happily ever after. Theresa took Yujin's hand and looked at Kalaisha with a grin.
"Kalaisha, we can end the lesson here today, right?"
"…Fine."
Nursing her wounded pride, Kalaisha watched them leave with a look of utter defeat.